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Draft minutes - to be approved at the next meeting
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council
held at the Kingswood & Broomfield Village Hall,
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Present:
Cllr
Cllr
Sue Wotton – Clerk
Gail Gosden – Assistant Clerk / RFO
There was one member of the public present who asked two questions of Cllr Fitzpatrick
Cllr Hendy opened the meeting at 7. 42pm
Apologies for Absence
Cllr
Cllr Fay Rouse
19. Personal & Prejudicial Interests
Cllr Fitzpatrick declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Affordable Housing – Min. 29
20. Minutes of the Meeting held 11th May 2009 and Matters Arising
Cllr Bowker proposed the minutes be accepted as a true record, seconded by Cllr Coleman and signed by Cllr Hendy.
Min 9(iii) – Closure of Sports Field gates - Clerk had written to thank resident who had undertaken to lock/unlock gates daily for 3 months commencing today, letter and gate key hand-delivered by Ass Clerk, who had displayed notice to users of Sports Field, on gates. Details of trial closure included in the June edition of village magazine.
Cllr Hendy had received a phone call from a concerned resident enquiring whether the pedestrian gate would also be closed, Cllr Hendy advised that the pedestrian gate would remain unlocked at all times.
21. Minutes of the F & G P Meeting held 27th May 2009 and Matters Arising
Cllr Coleman proposed that the minutes be accepted as a true record, seconded by Cllr Hoy and signed by Cllr Hendy.
22. Policing
(i) Police Report and
Crime Figures 1st – 31st May 2009 - Clerk had received
letter dated 8th May from Inspector Sandwell, Rural Neighbourhood
Policing Team at
(ii) Neighbourhood Watch - Cllr Bowker reported that whilst messages have been left for the Rural Police team they also have been unable to make contact with PC Older. The British Red Cross has advised that they will be doing a door to door collection in the village in the near future. Two telephone scams have been reported, (i) that BT are threatening to disconnect telephone lines unless payment for bills are made, (ii) Credit Card scam.
(iii) ‘No cold callers’ signs – Clerk had, as requested, made enquiries with Cranbrook TC, whose Councillors consider the notices work well. Clerk had established that the signs are part of a Scheme involving Community Partnerships, Kent Rural Policing Forums and KCC - the Parish could only be considered if it were agreed that residents were vulnerable, crime figures locally were high and cold calling was a problem. Councillors thus agreed that it was unlikely at this time, that the Parish would be eligible, but would bear it in mind for the future.
23.
Cllr Parvin was not at the meeting and no report had been received. Cllr Hobson reported that he had attended the Mayoral Inauguration on behalf of the Parish Council.
24. Planning
Application:
(i) MA/09/0349 – Great Ivy Cottage, Upper Street, Broomfield – an application for listed building consent for the erection of a first floor rear extension
A/Clerk reported that this is a duplicate application which was approved at a Planning Committee meeting on 31st March 2009. A/Clerk had established from the Planning Officer, that the reason for resubmission was for additional information required from the applicant, therefore the application needed to be reconsidered. Approve
(ii) MA/09/0163
– Chatelet,
(iii) MA/TA/0063/09 – 3 Kingsbroom Court, Broomfield Road, Kingswood – an application for consent to carry out various tree work within woodland south of 3 Kingsbroom Court, all trees protected by Tree Preservation Order No. 32 of 2002.
Items (ii) and (iii) received since the publication of this meeting’s Agenda – will be considered by the Planning Committee at meeting on Thursday 11th June at 10.30 at the Sports Field, Lenham Road ACTION – A/Clerk
Other:
Clerk reported that 21 May, MBC Planning Committee, report of the Development Control Manager re: MA/08/0333 – to increase the number of permitted caravan pitches form 10 to 20, involving revised access road and layout – The Finches, Chartway Street, Kingswood. Deferred for details of screening of the caravans and of improved landscaping provision around the site and the submission of an ecological survey of the site – the Application may be reported back to the Committee for determination
25. Parish Enforcement Proceedings (Closed Session)
The Clerk advised that there were no Planning Enforcement proceedings for consideration at this time.
26. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
The balance of accounts as at the 31st May 2009:
Current Account - £200.00
Reserve Account - £32,913.93
Receipts for the month include £52.00 for the
annual ground rent from
27. Finances
(i) Invoices for payment: £ Chq No
Clerk – Pay, mileage & room expenses, 20 Apr to 20 May ’09 422.74 542
Ass Clerk/RFO – Pay, mileage & room expenses --- “ --- 483.18 543
HMRC – Clerks’ PAYE & Employer’s NI contributions 98.65 544
Clive Stanley – Webmaster services 19 Feb to 22 May 2009 209.00 545
Viking – stationery order (amendment to total invoice due to credit) 117.24 546
Payment of these invoices were proposed by Cllr Bowker, seconded by Cllr Coleman and agreed by all.
(ii) Payments for ratification: Chq No
Village Fete donation 50.00 539
Leeds & Kingswood Scout Group annual donation 50.00 540
Ratification of payments proposed by Cllr Coleman, seconded by Cllr Hobson and agreed by all.
(iii) Other:
Bank reconciliations – RFO had not received the bank statements for May so is unable to complete bank reconciliations at this time.
ACRK – Annual Membership is due for renewal, Councillors agreed unanimously to continue its membership. ACTION - RFO
28. Complaints Procedure
Clerk had received details from KALC,
29. Affordable Housing
Cllr Fitzpatrick left the room for the duration of this discussion, see Min. 19
The Application was not heard by MBC Planning
Committee on 21 May due to an additional ecological survey request by ADAG. Clerk had been forwarded copy letters from
Mr Clarke, MBC Planning Officer, regarding ADAG’s letter requesting further
ecological tests at the
Clerk to request details of the original ecological site survey, Cllr Bowker proposed that the Clerk write to MBC expressing the concern of Councillors re: the delay in determining the Application, seconded by Cllr Hoy, and agreed by all. Clerk to write to Ward Cllr, Peter Parvin, requesting his support in getting the Application before the Planning Committee ASAP. Cllr Bowker also proposed that the Parish Council should support non-determination and any actions Orbit consider necessary to progress the Application, seconded by Cllr Hoy and unanimously agreed. ACTION- Clerk
Cllr Fitzpatrick rejoined the meeting and was advised by Cllr Hendy, of the intended actions of the Parish Council in respect of Affordable Housing, as minuted above.
30. Recreation & Sports Field
(i) Revised Scout Group Lease - Assistant Clerk advised Councillors that the MBC Solicitor is due to forward draft Leases to Alan Poulton, Scout Group Chairman, and the PC in the very near future.
(ii) Old play equipment / repair surface – Cllr Coleman reported that only two estimates have been received. After discussion Cllr Fitzpatrick proposed that Allens Contractors quote to complete the project be accepted, seconded by Cllr Hoy and agreed by all. A/Clerk to discuss with Alan Poulton regarding access to a water supply from the Scout Hut. ACTION – A/Clerk
31. Roads, Pavements and Transport
(i) Traffic calming,
(ii) Pavements – Clerk had received pre-paid returns cards to KHS, for residents to complete and return to report roads and pavements problems. Clerk to request an additional supply of report cards to be placed at the Village Store for use by residents ACTION - Clerk
Cllr Fitzpatrick stated that the pavements throughout the village had previously been marked for repair but these repairs have never been completed. Cllr Fitzpatrick was supplied with a pre-paid returns card as above, to complete and return, Clerk also to report pavement issues to KHS
ACTION – Cllr Fitzpatrick / Clerk
Cllr Bowker requested the the Clerk write to congratulate KHS on the handling of the closure of
Cllr Bowker expressed concern about
scaffolding in
(iii) 59 & 66 bus service route – Cllr Hobson had circulated minutes of the Transport meeting. Previously concern had been expressed that the route of the No 59 bus had not been clarified and timetables were unclear. Cllr Hobson proposed that the Clerk write and ask Arriva to confirm the exact route of the bus and that this information should be forwarded to KCC, seconded Cllr Fitzpatrick and agreed by all. ACTION - Clerk
(iv) Maintenance footpath Lenham Road <> Holly Tree Close - As requested previously by Cllr Biggenden, the Clerk had checked this footpath on 27th May and found it to be neat and tidy, as was the path between Laurel Grove <> Gravelly Bottom Road x-roads. However, the footpath running between Chestnut Drive and Gravelly Bottom Road was badly overgrown with weeds on both sides to waist height, this was reported to MBC with request for cutting back asap, ref: 239530 refers. Clerk has since established that Phil Tweddell maintains the Holly Tree Close and Laurel Grove footpaths as part of his contract, not MBC. Councillors requested that the Clerk ascertain why MBC do not maintain all the alleys and footpaths around the village. ACTION - Clerk
(v) Clerk reported that the initial KHS Parish Portal communication system is now available and contains up to date information regarding logged roads issues/status/progress in each Parish. Formal training will be given in due course, Clerk has requested login ID to enable early access.
32. Parish Plan
Cllr Hoy suggested that the 2003 Parish Plan should be re-visited to ascertain whether the objectives outlined then, had been fulfilled, whether the PC still have aspirations towards these objectives and if so, how to progress them. Cllr Hoy itemised the issues that had been considered in the Parish Plan:
Issue |
Action Taken |
Further Action required |
Starter Homes |
Application for Affordable Homes in progress |
Ongoing |
Sheltered Accommodation |
There are Housing Association homes in the village but none Deemed to be suitable for the elderly |
Yes |
Police Provision |
Rural Police Team and PCSO in situ – Full implementation of PACT to be pursued |
Ongoing |
20/30mph Speed Limits |
30 mph speed limit implemented
on
|
Yes |
Safe access to Sports Field |
Research into alternative access had been pursued unsuccessfully |
Yes |
Bus Service |
To maintain a local dedicated bus service. |
Ongoing |
Facilities for Young People |
Additional Play equipment now available at Sports Field. Facilities for football clubs now available. |
Ongoing |
Councillors agreed that the items raised by Cllr Hoy from the Parish Plan still remain as aspirations for this Council and that there is no need at this time to undertake another Parish Plan.
Cllr Hendy requested Cllr Hoy to consider these options following discussion by Councillors and report further to the next meeting. ACTION – Cllr Hoy
33. Annual Parish Report / Magazine
Clerk had, at the Annual Meeting, been supplied with a copy of the Higham PC Annual Newsletter and Reports magazine, by Webmaster, Clive Stanley. The publication is produced annually and features reports, Councillor’s details, contacts for club and society organisers, etc. and is circulated approximately three weeks before the APM to the whole village. Mr Stanley had stated that the magazine is very well received and appreciated at Higham Following discussion, Members agreed that an annual newsletter for this Parish should be published, commencing 2010. Cllr Bowker offered his help to the Clerks in establishing the magazine. ACTION – Clerks
34. External Reports
(i) KIG Joint Parishes Meeting, 20th May - Cllr Evans not present to report. Clerk had received details of anticipated JPG membership funding for May 2009 – April 2010 and produced copies for members’ consideration. Richard Jacques, Chairman JPG, had written to all JPG member Chairmen, urging continued membership and requesting details of any Parish residents with relevant knowledge and experience, who would be prepared to assist the JPG in its fight to stop the KIG development.
Councillors were advised that Mark Watts from Waterfront had been engaged to work on behalf of JPG, during the next stage of the KIG hearing, the cost to this Parish would be £260.00 per month, for three months initially. Cllr Hendy proposed that the PC continue with its participation of JPG, seconded by Cllr Hobson and agreed by all. Cllr Hoy stated that the JPG has been recognised as a Rule 6 body; therefore the Group is recognised as being representative of local residents. Cllrs agreed that the costs incurred for JPG membership should be reviewed at every meeting. ACTION - Clerk
(ii) KCC Speed Limits Meeting, 20th May - Cllr Bowker reported that KCC are proposing changes to speed limits along the A274 at Langley and Warmlake, but nothing that directly affects this Parish.
35.
Cllr Hoy was unable to attend the last meeting of the Village Hall Committee, therefore no report.
36. Recycling Facilities, Village Hall
See Min. 35 - Cllr Hoy has no further information in this respect, at this time
37. Public Footpaths & Rights of Way
Cllr Coleman reported that the Footpaths Officer, John Pelham, had spoken to David Slack of the Rochester Bridge Trust on 19th May regarding the fencing off of Parish footpath KH259 (Langley<>Broomfield), and had been assured by Mr Slack that he has spoken to the farmer concerned and a new path will now run inside the field and that a resolution is imminent. A new stile for access has also been suggested. Cllr Coleman will continue to monitor the situation. ACTION – Cllr Coleman
38. Village of the Year Competition
Cllr Hoy will forward details to all Councillors for their consideration.
39. Correspondence File – Clerk
(i) Highways Agency - M20 Junctions 4 to 7 – Controlled Motorway Scheme (Clerk had e-mailed JPG Chairman 29/5 re: effect on proposed KIG development – see Min.34(i) – copy on KIG file)
(ii) DHA Planning – Customised planning training - cost £1,500 per person – declined unanimously
(iii) The Heart of Kent Hospice – request for volunteers and / or donation. Clerk was requested to create a poster advertising for volunteers and inform Hospice of action taken. Also consideration of this charity for inclusion in next year’s Parish Precept. ACTION - Clerk/RFO
(iv) Kent Air Ambulance Trust – request for venues to site a Textile Bank, agreed to forward to Village Hall Committee for their consideration. ACTION – Cllr Hoy
(v) KCC – Kent Minerals and Waste Development Framework – view at www.kent.gov.uk/mwdf
(vi) Janet Burnett - Letter of thanks to the Chairman for the Garden Gift Vouchers.
(vii) Kenward Trust – Application for donation- this Charity is included within the precept for donations. ACTION - RFO
40. Items for next Meeting’s Agenda
(i) Twinning Signs - Cllr Coleman
(ii) Update footpath KH 259 – Cllr Coleman
(iii) JPG membership / funding review
(iv) Parish Plan & Village of Year competition – Cllr Hoy
(v) Traffic
calming
41. Any Other Information
(i) Emma Hickling has been appointed as Headteacher at
(ii) Members
and Clerks are invited to attend the opening of the extended Adventure Trail at
(iii) Clerk reported that notification had been received from MBC Planning, without consultation, that hard copy Applications and Conditions will soon cease to be sent out and Councils / Councillors will need to view details electronically. This has caused uproar amongst local Parish Councils as this will entail a lot more work for Clerks in downloading applications and plans, etc. from the MBC Website, which is very time consuming and will also have considerable associated printing costs. Difficulties would also arise to allow the public to view Applications at meetings. Councils will need to buy either projectors or use laptops for displaying the applications at meetings, and/or purchase dongles to give internet access in village halls/meeting places – in the case of this Parish, often in the open at the Sports Field. This despite the majority of Parishes, including B&K, replying to MBC survey last year that they wished to continue to receive hard copies, result never published, MBC appear to be on a cost-cutting exercise.
Parishes are getting together to challenge decision via Maidstone KALC. Clerk had received first e-mailed ‘Planning Decisions Taken’ list on 26th May, which was produced for members to view new system – conditions for any Applications pertaining to Applications within this Parish will hereafter have to be viewed on line and downloaded. MBC are also considering stopping the Friday relay run.
(iv) Clerk had received details of Power of Well Being. Training from KALC inviting members to attend sessions on Weds. 24th June at Sevenoaks or Tues 30th June at Wingham at a cost of £20pp – no takers as pertains primarily to QPS Parishes.
(v) Clerk reported that 47 seats have been filled for the Pensioners’ trip on 16th June, therefore 6 seats still available, members requested to approach other residents who may like to attend
(vi) Cllr
Fitzpatrick had recently discussed the water leak at the j/w
(vii) Cllr
Fitzpatrick has had a phone call from local resident who was concerned about
trees being grubbed out in
(viii) Cllr Hoy asked Councillors to consider joining together with spouses/partners/children for a Sunday lunch at the Ridge Golf Club – agreed. Suggested dates to be circulated by the Clerk – Sundays 12th or 19th July ACTION - Clerk
(v) Clerk agreed to attend the Parish Coffee Morning at the Village Hall, this Saturday, 6th June
42. Parish Council Meetings
The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 6th July 2009 at
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 11.05pm
Signature Chairman
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